Tag: IRS

Prince Harry (Part II) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family?

Part I of this blog post examined the US tax issues faced by the Duke of Sussex who moved with Duchess Meghan to Los Angeles in March 2020.  Given the significant number of days of physical presence in America, Prince Harry has most likely already met the "substantial presence test" and is being taxed the … Continue reading Prince Harry (Part II) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family? →

Tax Traps for the Generous but Unwary Foreigner with a Child (or other Relative) in the USA

Over my many years of international tax practice, I regularly come across the loving foreign parent (or relative) with a child (or other relation) residing in the United States. The individual may be studying there or living there and pursuing the American dream - starting a business or perhaps buying a home. He or she … Continue reading Tax Traps for the Generous but Unwary Foreigner with a Child (or other Relative) in the USA →

Is the IRS Being Reasonable when it comes to “Reasonable Cause”?

My recent blog post discussed how I approach “streamlined procedure” filings for taxpayers with unreported income, for example, from offshore assets or accounts. Often, the tax noncompliance for such cases involves unfiled international information returns as well.  As discussed in the blog post, I draft the required statement of non-willfulness in such a manner that … Continue reading Is the IRS Being Reasonable when it comes to “Reasonable Cause”? →

IRS Slipshod Work and Document Destruction Can Mean Big Problems – Especially for Expatriates

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has been documenting some careless work being carried out by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  We have the most recent TIGTA report (Number 2022-40-036) of May 4, 2022 reporting that the IRS destroyed 30 million “paper-filed information return documents” without bothering to process them beforehand. This destruction … Continue reading IRS Slipshod Work and Document Destruction Can Mean Big Problems – Especially for Expatriates →

FBAR Penalty & the US Supreme Court: If the Penalty is “Per Form”, are “Per Account” Penalty Refunds Possible?

My earlier blog posts discussed the split in the circuit courts whether the FBAR $10,000 civil nonwillful penalty is to be applied on a “per account” rather than “per form” basis. The Fifth and Ninth circuit courts disagree on the statutory interpretation of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) (31 U.S.C. § 5321(a)(5)(B)(i)), particularly what constitutes … Continue reading FBAR Penalty & the US Supreme Court: If the Penalty is “Per Form”, are “Per Account” Penalty Refunds Possible? →

US Supreme Court to Decide: FBAR Penalty, $10K per Form or per Account?  

The US Supreme Court just agreed to resolve the split in the circuit courts whether the FBAR $10,000 civil nonwillful penalty is to be applied on a “per account” rather than “per form” basis.  By granting certiorari to Mr. Bittner, a taxpayer who petitioned the Court to review his case, we will finally have a … Continue reading US Supreme Court to Decide: FBAR Penalty, $10K per Form or per Account?   →

Escaping the USA, Exit Tax and Transfer Tax Regimes: Using the “Dual National” Exception

The economy is not looking good with the stock market dropping sharply, with tech companies being hit most dramatically, dropping by about 40%.  Crypto markets are also in a freefall and liquidity has dried up. As a result, it may be the perfect time for individuals wishing to relinquish green cards held for a long … Continue reading Escaping the USA, Exit Tax and Transfer Tax Regimes: Using the “Dual National” Exception →

US Residency “First Year Election” and FBAR – The Devil is in the Details

Recently, I presented a webinar for tax pro’s earning CPE credits; the topic involved our favorite character, Mr. FBAR. The FBAR, Form 114, is more formally known as the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.  The webinar will be available soon as a CPE credit "self-study" program.  Send me an email if you wish … Continue reading US Residency “First Year Election” and FBAR – The Devil is in the Details →

FBAR – It Gets You in the End, Presidential Pardon Notwithstanding

Can a presidential pardon forgive FBAR penalties?  Maybe Paul Manafort Jr. thinks so! Despite notice and demand for payment, he is not paying US$2.9 million in “willful” FBAR penalties assessed against him.  The US government just brought an action in the southern district court (West Palm Beach division 4/28/2022), to collect the outstanding civil penalties … Continue reading FBAR – It Gets You in the End, Presidential Pardon Notwithstanding →